District of columbia's most popular baby names in 1940

In the year 1940, the District of Columbia saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. Mary, Barbara, and Patricia emerged as the top three names for baby girls, while John, Robert, and James were the most popular names for baby boys. These names were chosen by parents across the state, reflecting a preference for traditional and timeless names.

Mary, the most popular name for baby girls, has been a classic name for centuries and continues to be a popular choice for parents today. Barbara and Patricia, which were also highly favored, have a similar timeless appeal. John, Robert, and James, the top three names for baby boys, have been popular for generations and continue to be popular choices for parents today. These names have stood the test of time and remain popular due to their strong and classic sound.

Most popular baby girl names in District of columbia in 1940

In the year 1940, the most popular baby girl names in District of Columbia were Mary, Barbara, Patricia, Joan, and Margaret. Mary was the most popular name with 365 baby girls given the name. Barbara came in second with 341, followed by Patricia with 270, Joan with 161, and Margaret with 141. These were the top 5 baby girl names in the region during that year.

Mary

365 baby girls born in District of columbia (1940) named Mary
Mary is a feminine given name that has been used in various cultures and languages throughout history. The meaning and origin of the name are uncertain, but it is believed to derive from the Hebrew name Miriam, which means "bitter" or "rebellious". The name Mary is popular in Christian cultures due to its association with the mother of Jesus Christ.
Barbara

341 baby girls born in District of columbia (1940) named Barbara
The name Barbara is of Greek origin, derived from the word "barbaros" which means foreign or strange. It was a popular name in the Middle Ages and was often given to girls born on St. Barbara's feast day. The name has been used in various cultures and languages around the world.
Patricia

270 baby girls born in District of columbia (1940) named Patricia
The name Patricia is derived from the Latin word "patricius," meaning "noble" or "aristocratic." It was a popular name in the Roman Empire and later spread throughout Europe. The name is often associated with qualities such as intelligence, kindness, and leadership.
Joan

161 baby girls born in District of columbia (1940) named Joan
The name Joan is of Hebrew origin and means "God is gracious". It is a feminine name that was popularized in the Middle Ages and has been in use ever since. The name is often associated with strong and independent women, such as Joan of Arc.
Margaret

141 baby girls born in District of columbia (1940) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Nancy
134 baby girls born in District of columbia (1940) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Joyce
127 baby girls born in District of columbia (1940) named Joyce
The name Joyce is of Old French origin, derived from the name Josse, which means "lord" or "master". It was originally a masculine name but became popular as a feminine name in the 20th century. The name Joyce is often associated with qualities such as intelligence, creativity, and independence.
Judith
125 baby girls born in District of columbia (1940) named Judith
The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".
Carol
113 baby girls born in District of columbia (1940) named Carol
The name Carol is derived from the Old Germanic word "karl", which means "man" or "free man". It is often associated with the Christmas season due to the popular Christmas carol "Carol of the Bells".
Sandra
106 baby girls born in District of columbia (1940) named Sandra
The name Sandra is a variant of the name Alexandra, which is of Greek origin. The name Alexandra means "defender of mankind" or "protector of humanity". Therefore, it can be inferred that the name Sandra has a similar meaning.
Betty
106 baby girls born in District of columbia (1940) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Shirley
105 baby girls born in District of columbia (1940) named Shirley
The name Shirley is of English origin and its meaning is "bright meadow" or "bright clearing". It was originally a surname that became a popular given name in the 19th century.
Elizabeth
99 baby girls born in District of columbia (1940) named Elizabeth
Elizabeth is a name of Hebrew origin, meaning "God is my oath" or "my God is abundance". It is a name that has been popular for centuries and has been borne by many notable figures in history and literature.
Linda
97 baby girls born in District of columbia (1940) named Linda
The name Linda means "beautiful" or "pretty" in Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, and other Romance languages. It is also derived from the Germanic word "lind," which means "gentle" or "soft."
Jean
90 baby girls born in District of columbia (1940) named Jean
The name Jean is a variant of the name John, which means "God is gracious" in Hebrew. It is a gender-neutral name that has been used for both boys and girls.
Dorothy
89 baby girls born in District of columbia (1940) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Gloria
87 baby girls born in District of columbia (1940) named Gloria
The name Gloria means "glory" or "fame" in Latin.
Helen
73 baby girls born in District of columbia (1940) named Helen
Helen is a name of Greek origin and means "bright, shining one" or "torchbearer". It is also sometimes associated with the meaning "sunray" or "ray of light". The name has been popular throughout history and is still commonly used today.
Ann
73 baby girls born in District of columbia (1940) named Ann
The name Ann is a variant of the name Anne, which is derived from the Hebrew name Hannah, meaning "grace" or "favor". The name has been popular throughout history and is often associated with strong and independent women.
Doris
65 baby girls born in District of columbia (1940) named Doris
The name Doris means "gift of the ocean" or "from the sea" in Greek. It was also the name of a sea nymph in Greek mythology.

Most popular baby boy names in District of columbia in 1940

According to data from 1940, the most popular baby boy names in District of Columbia were John, Robert, James, William, and Charles. John was the most popular name with 472 babies given that name, followed closely by Robert with 465 babies. James was the third most popular name with 437 babies, while William and Charles rounded out the top five with 419 and 262 babies respectively.

John

472 baby boys born in District of columbia (1940) named John
The name John is of Hebrew origin and means "God is gracious". It is a very common name and has been used for centuries. People with this name are often known for their kindness and generosity.
Robert

465 baby boys born in District of columbia (1940) named Robert
The name Robert means "bright fame" or "famous brilliance". It is of Old German origin and was a popular name among medieval kings and nobility.
James

437 baby boys born in District of columbia (1940) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
William

419 baby boys born in District of columbia (1940) named William
The name William means "resolute protector" or "strong-willed warrior". It is of Germanic origin and has been a popular name throughout history.
Charles

262 baby boys born in District of columbia (1940) named Charles
The name Charles means "free man" or "strong man" and is of Germanic origin. It was a popular name among European royalty and has been commonly used throughout history.
Richard
231 baby boys born in District of columbia (1940) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
George
172 baby boys born in District of columbia (1940) named George
The name George means "farmer" or "earthworker" and is of Greek origin. It was a popular name among early Christians, as Saint George is the patron saint of England and a martyr in the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Anglican churches. The name has been used by many notable figures throughout history, including several kings of England.
Thomas
168 baby boys born in District of columbia (1940) named Thomas
The name Thomas is of Aramaic origin and means "twin". It is a common name in many cultures and has been used for centuries.
David
155 baby boys born in District of columbia (1940) named David
The name David is of Hebrew origin and means "beloved" or "friend". It is a popular name in many cultures and religions, including Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. In the Bible, David was the second king of Israel and is known for his bravery, leadership, and devotion to God. People with the name David are often described as confident, charismatic, and loyal.
Joseph
154 baby boys born in District of columbia (1940) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Edward
129 baby boys born in District of columbia (1940) named Edward
The name Edward means "wealthy guardian" or "rich guard" and is of Old English origin. It is derived from the words "ead" meaning "wealth, fortune" and "weard" meaning "guardian, protector".
Michael
123 baby boys born in District of columbia (1940) named Michael
The name Michael means "Who is like God?" in Hebrew. It is a biblical name that is often associated with the archangel Michael, who is considered to be a protector and warrior in many religious traditions. The name has been popular throughout history and is still commonly used today.
Ronald
121 baby boys born in District of columbia (1940) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Donald
120 baby boys born in District of columbia (1940) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Paul
100 baby boys born in District of columbia (1940) named Paul
The name Paul is of Latin origin and means "small" or "humble". It was originally derived from the Roman family name Paulus, which was a common name in ancient Rome. The name has been popularized by various saints and biblical figures, including the apostle Paul, who was a significant figure in the early Christian church.
Kenneth
79 baby boys born in District of columbia (1940) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Frank
76 baby boys born in District of columbia (1940) named Frank
The name Frank is of Germanic origin and means "free man" or "truthful man".
Raymond
64 baby boys born in District of columbia (1940) named Raymond
The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".
Walter
58 baby boys born in District of columbia (1940) named Walter
Walter is a Germanic name that means "ruler of the army" or "powerful warrior".
Lawrence
57 baby boys born in District of columbia (1940) named Lawrence
The name Lawrence is derived from the Latin name Laurentius, which means "from Laurentum" or "crowned with laurel". It has been a popular name throughout history and is often associated with strength, honor, and victory.